Friday, December 25, 2009

Jim Gaffigan - Holiday Traditions - Beyond the Pale

Merry Christmas all. Watch, relate, and enjoy.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Mmmm...Hazard Taste


Mmmm...Hazard Taste
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I've run into a string of odd products, dumb advertisements, and some pretty messed up English as of late. This is especially distressing as I am an English teacher. I don't expect people to be perfect, but it seems that English here is getting worse.

I know that Korean advertisers are not concerned with the message they get across, just that they have something in English. Still, there are tons of foreigners over here. How hard is it to run a slogan or ad by one of us to see if it makes sense. Then again the results are entertaining. I now realize that should be adding more sincerity in the cup when I make coffee.

I Hate to Tell You, This is not Live Music

When you consider the amount of advertising we are subjected to on a daily basis, it is truly outstanding. Now I am not one of those advertisement conspiracy theorists who decries how marketing specialists prey upon the unwitting public. To me, advertisements are akin to mosquitoes; bothersome things that must be endured in life. But now it seems that the advertisers aren't even trying. Take this ad for Raison cigarettes.

The ad boasts "This is live music" as an young man cradles a pair of earphones to his chest. What? First, this is not live music. This is the farthest away from live music one can get. The dude doesn't even know how to wear the earphones. Second, how does this relate anyway to cigarettes. I know, when has tobacco advertising ever made an sense? An honest tobacco add would go something like, "Marborol lights--they kill you more slowly than regular cigarettes." Still, it feels like an ad team slapped together some random pictures and phrases, decided it looked good, and sent it out. It's the lack of effort I find insulting. It's the same as doing your homework the hour before class.

Raison cigarettes, if you want me to pick up an expensive lifelong habit that will slowly rob me of my own breath, you're going to have to try harder than that. Then again, this works for some people.

Normeat Anyone?


Normeat Anyone
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Some "food' out there is spectacularly scary. "Normeat" is downright terrifying--if not for its ingredients, then at least its size. Who buys these things besides apocalypse awaiting basement dwellers or the US army.

I'm a little bit curious who came up the name "Normeat" as well. I can only imagine the discussion between the company execs and the marketing people:
"How can we make this food byproduct seems less intimidating and more, well, you know...normal?"
"How about naming it Normeat. Normal + Meat."
"Why not? It worked for Spam."

(I'm assuming that Spam is Special + Ham)

Korean Candy Knows


Korean Candy Knows
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I usually try not to get to political on this blog, but Kat and I found this Korean cookie that I feel speaks the truth. If find its advice to be fair and balanced.

Nature's Litter


Nature's Litter
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
One of the last pictures of fall. More to come next year.